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Breaking news and tips
The new scams that know you by name
Ever get a text that feels … a little too real? You know the ones: “Your account has been locked. Click here to verify.” Most of us roll our eyes and delete them.
But the new generation of scams? They’re scarier and a whole lot smarter.
📱 Smishing goes high-tech
In the past month, investigators uncovered a Chinese cybercrime group that stole data on up to 115 million U.S. payment cards over 16 months. That’s one card for every three people.
They didn’t skim them from ATMs. They tricked people into handing over their card info through fake payment alerts sent to phones, aka “smishing” or phishing through text messages.
Those stolen cards were instantly loaded into mobile wallets and used before victims could blink.
💍 The ‘small’ breach that isn’t
Jewelry brand Pandora admitted a hacker got hold of customer names and email addresses via a third-party platform. No passwords, no payment info. Sounds harmless, right? Wrong.
That data is a gold mine for cybercriminals. Why?
It makes their fake messages frighteningly believable. Picture this: “Hi, [Your Name], we noticed unusual activity on your Pandora account…” See how quickly you’d lower your guard?
🕵️♂️ Phishing-as-a-service
Criminals are running ready-made scam platforms with names like “Sneaky 2FA” and “Tycoon 2FA.” These are crazy. You pick a phishing email, select email addresses, pay for it and they are sent out. These services make it easy to mimic real login pages and even trick two-factor authentication systems.
Power plays
👩💻 Life runs on tech. Here’s the gear that’ll keep you connected.
- 🤖 Upgrading your Android? Save $250 on the slim, lightning-fast Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge (20% off).
- ⌚ Band together: These elastic nylon Apple Watch bands (15% off, three-pack) feel comfy from work to the gym.
- 📱 Twist of genius: Scroll hand-free or film your next viral overhead video with a gooseneck phone holder (10% off).
- 🔋 Fast fuel: This portable charger (10% off) can power up to four gadgets at once. Bonus: built-in wall plug.
- 🔊 Big sound, small box: Over 35,000 shoppers gave this waterproof Bluetooth speaker (15% off) 4.6 stars.
🎉 Labor Day came early: Why wait? Click this secret link for the first steals. Then, swing by my Amazon page to shop smarter, not harder.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Shutter showdown: Stock vs. AI photos
I love making AI-generated pics. I’ve spent hours tinkering with prompts to see what I can dream up. But here’s the big question I get from business owners: Do AI images or good old-fashioned stock photos work better in marketing? Let’s put them head-to-head.
Find the subscriptions you forgot about: I use Rocket Money, an app that finds all your recurring subscriptions and lets you easily cancel anything you don’t want. The first time I logged in, it saved me $435!
💪🏻 Your body runs on collagen, so give it the best stuff. NativePath Collagen is clean, pure and backed by science. Just two scoops a day, and I feel the difference. Right now, get 45% off, free shipping and a free frother. That’s a win for your body and your wallet!
Adult sites suffer big hit
Think fewer people are watching porn online? You’re right, and the reason might surprise you. New data shows that age verification laws cause adult site traffic to plummet. It’s not just teens being locked out. Many adults are also staying away, unwilling to leave a digital trail.
Have you subscribed to The Kim Komando YouTube channel yet? Why not? Tap here to start watching!
$29,999
That’s the sticker shock for Hisense’s new 116-inch RGB-MiniLED beast. It nails 95% of BT.2020 colors (basically the ultra-crayon box of TV shades), so your sunsets won’t look like radioactive Tang. Most TVs barely crack 80%. If you’re on a budget and want to see those colors, I recommend just going outside.
💡 Pick the right light: Shopping for bulbs? Avoid LEDs over 5000K. Those bluish “cool white” ones can feel sterile and trick your brain into thinking it’s daytime, making it harder to sleep. Instead, go for “warm white” bulbs between 2700K and 3000K. They’re easier on the eyes and make your home feel cozier.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
Stop creepy ad tracking
Your phone’s Mobile Advertising ID tracks your activity, location, and purchases, then sells the data. Here’s how to turn off personalized ads on iPhone and Android to protect your privacy.
🤯 Ignorance isn’t feeless: How many times have you gotten a text about not paying for a toll and thought, damn spam? A California woman kept getting texts saying she owed money to The Toll Roads, but she assumed they were fake and ignored them. Turns out they were real. That could have meant big fines if she’d kept driving. Folks, if it sounds important, double-check on the official app or website.
Too hot to handle
👩🍳 Forget Gordon Ramsay. These gadgets bring the fun and the flavor.
- 🔥 King of the grill: Alpha Grillers’ BBQ set (34% off) has all the tools you need to rule burger night.
- ☕ Double the whisk: From lattes to matcha, 238,000+ folks gave this milk frother (20% off) 4.4 stars.
- 🥘 One-pot wonder: With 18 functions, this rice cooker (10% off) can steam, sauté, you name it.
- 🧂 Shake things up: These electric salt and pepper grinders (41% off) do all the twisting for you.
- 🍿 Pop culture: Snoopy says ditch the microwave bags for a Peanuts-themed popcorn maker ($35).
🎁 Not sure what to grab?An Amazon gift card never disappoints. Then see what else is cooking on my storefront.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
3-second tech genius
No skills? No problem. George, your AI host, shows you AI art tools that bring your craziest ideas to life. Plus, secret hacks to supercharge your gadgets … and a surfing cat.
Charlie Chaplin’s in theaters after 100 years
Charlie Chaplin famously rereleased his 1925 silent classic The Gold Rush in 1942 with new narration and edits, believing it would connect better with modern audiences. Now, thanks to film archivists and AI, the silent masterpiece has been painstakingly restored. The 4K version just premiered at Cannes and hit 250 theaters worldwide.
🔞 Fake house, real harm: Bop Houses are influencer mansions pushing adult content, but their marketing targets tween girls. Women under 25 post softcore bait to funnel followers off-platform to explicit sites. Now middle schoolers say the content’s hurting them: Boys expect porn star looks and behavior, and girls feel unsafe, ugly and ignored. Open phones, open minds, open conversations. That’s how we beat back the pressure these houses push.
🌐 Faster than bookmarks: You can set your browser to reopen all tabs when it starts. In Chrome, go to Settings > On startup and select Continue where you left off. In Firefox, go to Settings > General > Startup and check Open previous windows and tabs. No more scary crashes.
We got scammed out of $200K
Bill and his wife thought they were investing in crypto. Instead, they got wiped out. Then, how AI could take down Google Chrome. Plus, Silicon Valley’s obsession with “super smart” babies, the secret world of spy radio, and crypto’s path to your 401(k).
Lug nutty
🚘 Save yourself stress (and a tow truck bill) with these upgrades.
- 🪫 Dead battery? Skip the AAA wait. This jump-starter (20% off) doubles as a power bank for your phone.
- ✨ See the light: Drive safely at night with a headlight restoration kit (10% off). No tools needed.
- 🛒 Grocery hero: Hang your bags on these headrest hooks (45% off, four-pack). 4.6 stars & 62,000+ reviews.
- 😎 Sunglass HQ: Magnetic suede holders (20% off, two-pack) keep your shades steady on bumpy rides.
- 🛻 Fold and go: This trunk organizer (24% off) is sturdy when you need it, folds flat when you don’t.
🛠️ ICYMI: I rounded up the best DIY tools that’ll make you look like a pro. Check your inbox, then cruise over to my Amazon shop for more.
We may earn a commission from purchases, but our recommendations are always objective.
📱 Speaking of phones: If you’re buying a used one, don’t get scammed. Check its International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number. Here’s how: Dial #06# on the phone to display its IMEI. Then enter it into the Stolen Phone Checker to see if it’s been reported lost, stolen or blocked by a carrier.
Boxes are over it: Cardboard box shipments just hit their lowest Q2 since 2015. That’s boxes for TVs, couches, frozen waffles, all whispering, “Don’t count on us.” Translation: People aren’t shopping as much. It’s not a crash, but it is a soft shrug (paywall link). You know it’s weird when cardboard boxes are quiet quitting, too.